Finger / box joints

[kmealy]

OK, OK, I'll start it.   

 

How do you make them?

 

I've made some using an IncraJig and a router table with a straight bit.  These worked well.

 

I can probably make them with my SOB dovetail joining jig, but it's so complex, it makes my head hurt every time I use it .

 

There was a video a couple of years ago about how to set up a guide on a table saw and dado blade.  I used it once and it worked well and with little fussing.    The idea was you set up an auxiliary miter gauge fence with a key that just fits the cut.  Then use that key to offset the fence from the machine's rip fence.  I tried it recently on that sewing machine box and by the time I got twenty or so cuts, the cumulative error was enough that it didn't fit all that well.  My dado set up was not a precise fractional amount, I think. 

 

I have some friends that made a jig that you wind a threaded rod with a nx16 thread so that every turn advanced the guide 1/16"   I don't make them often enough to justify a couple of days making a jig.

 

And I call finger joints and box joints the same thing.  Apparently, Stick does not.  ?

[Stick486]

30 minutes ago, kmealy said:

And I call finger joints and box joints the same thing.  Apparently, Stick does not.

finger....

 

 

box....

 

 

side by side comparisons...

 

[Gerald]

Used to use a Wood Magazine jig which allowed changing the size of the fingers. The fit could be adjusted with a screw. it did have to be in both mitre slots.

    Now I use a PC Omnijig. Just make notes on the jig and you have repeatability.

[Stick486]

now here is a case where a box joint could be called a finger joint...

it's all about the shape of the pins and sockets and their application...

like I said ..

two different entities...

 

Edited February 4, 2019 by Stick486

[John Morris]

Keith, I have a box joint jig I made that is very simple, when I get in tonight I'll snap some images of mine.

[Gene Howe]

The Incra Box Joint jig and, their hinge crafter is a neat set up. 

[Artie]

3 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

The Incra Box Joint jig and, their hinge crafter is a neat set up. 

Bought them with the SS, haven’t had a chance to open them up yet. Looking forward to that day.

[Gene Howe]

55 minutes ago, Artie said:

Bought them with the SS, haven’t had a chance to open them up yet. Looking forward to that day.

Well, hurry up.

[Stick486]

[Stick486]

BOX JOINT JIG.pdf

[Gerald]

5 hours ago, Stick486 said:

That is the one I started with but this does not show the srew for fine adjustment.

[John Morris]

Keith, the jigs I made can be used for box joints or Dentil moulding, it may help you to see how simple it is, and how simple it functions.

The screw holds the jig onto a sacrificial board on the miter or cross cutting gauge.

 

A recessed stick the same width as the box joints you wish to make, along with the dado slot spaced exactly the same width of the key.

 

 

I used the 1/2" Dentil for some built up crown moulding I made for a wall shelf. You can see how I used this jig here at:

The finished shelf can be found here at:

I realize you are asking about making Box Joints, but this jig does the same thing, the only difference is, you set the dado higher. Hope this helps.

[Cal]

That was some nice work there John, great walk through also showing the steps.